Magnolia Scale

A Technical Report from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

Magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum) is the largest scale species in the United States. This native insect is found throughout the eastern U.S. and feeds exclusively on magnolia species (Magnolia spp.). The most affected magnolia species are star magnolia (M. stellata), cucumber tree (M. acuminata), lily magnolia (M. liliiflora), and saucer magnolia (M. x soulangeana), a hybrid variety of magnolia. Other magnolia species are less often attacked.